Tag: scandanavian

We’re nearing the finish line of our office makeover (more on that later) and so I’ve turned my attention to some of the finer details… details like, you know, mouse pads. After a desperate search to find some that blended form and function in a way that made my aesthetic-loving soul happy — and failing — I decided to make my own. And I’m glad I did because, holy cow, I love them!

These bad boys combine a few of my favorite things: leather, triangles, and the color black (always good in the right doses). Continue Reading

What's black and white and wood all over? A modern, rustic, Scandinavian Christmas! We've rounded up forty (40!!) Scandinavian Christmas decorations that will have you daydreaming of log fires and warm glasses of glogg in no time. God Jul!

I have lots of great holiday memories from when I was a kid: listening to the Merry Christmas from Sesame Street cassette while driving downtown to pick up the ham with my dad, waking my parents up with my sister after totally having scoped the presents, and warming the handheld candles to make funny shapes with my cousins and uncle during Christmas Eve service. But nothing stands out more than this silly little wooden nativity set I set up on our side table every year. Continue Reading

I love living right across the street from the public library. Sure, it makes checking out and returning things a breeze (and late fees inexcusable), but there’s another benefit. Every six weeks or so, when I see the “Friends of Library Book Sale” sign hit the sidewalk, I can scootch right over and snag the best goodies for a cool 25¢ each.

On my most recent trip, I scored one of my favorites yet: an old, yellow-ing craft book on Scandinavian Christmas traditions, complete with lots of those red Swedish horses (Dalahäst), tasty recipes for the Danish holiday doughnut/pancake æbleskiver (which are amazing), and lots of paper garland and ornament ideas. Continue Reading

Last week, I talked about finding interiors inspiration in the most unlikely of places, and this week I am building on that post with ten tips to a cozy, modern space.

The more places I decorate, the more I am reminded that decorating a home should be stress-free and fun. You just have to take it one room at a time. Right now, my husband and I are working on our living room. So I thought that would be a good place to start with today’s tips. Continue Reading

I love poufs. Whether they’re knitted, made from floor mats, or sewn from sturdy canvas (like this one), I think they look good in any room (not to mention the fact that they make excellent spare seating)!

Claire at Camille Styles has an excellent step-by-step tutorial for making your own from scratch, including free downloadable templates. All in all, this project seems pretty easy and, armed with the templates, you can make it out of whatever material or fabric suits your fancy! Continue Reading

Like I mentioned before, we don’t really have an entryway that allows for a lot of coat rack/wall hook/shoe storage/seating fuss. That’s not to say that I’m not constantly looking for inspiration in other people’s spaces! Here are 10 clean and modern entryways and “landing zones” that could be adapted or re-interpreted for just about any home — take a peek!

I’ll admit that the coat rack/wall hook situation in our entryway (which is really just our living room) needs a little help. When we have guests over, they inevitably ask, “So… uh, where do you want me to put my coat?” — which means “Dude. Get a coat rack already.” We end up tossing jackets over the back of a random piece of furniture and call it day, but I’d love to surprise our friends with an actual, honest-to-goodness coat rack or wall hook the next time they come over. Continue Reading

I spotted this ridiculously awesome (and relatively easy) DIY furniture project the other day and thought, “Oh my goodness. The world must know of this!” And you are the world, dear Curbliers — or we are, if Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie are to be believed.

All that to say, this project is rad/awesome/fantastic/whatever your adjective-of-choice happens to be — and I HAD to share it. Check the details and full how-to on A Beautiful Mess! Continue Reading